IT jobs grow by 45pc, new report says

The IrishJobs.ie Jobs index for the second quarter 2011 reports that the jobs market is experiencing sustained growth across key sectors, with a 45pc increase in IT since this time last year.

The report, based on company advertisements from April to June 2011, also cites year-on-year increases in other areas, such as management (+30pc) and hotel and catering (+26pc). Presented by economist Dr Stephen Kinsella, a lecturer in economics at University of Limerick, the Jobs Index measures jobs advertised online across the main recruitment websites in Ireland.

Kinsella, who is author of the IrishJobs.ie report, commented: "Though the rate of unemployment in Ireland is now at over 14pc, certain job categories are booming. Positive movement in the jobs market in certain sectors continues the trend shown by the set of figures for the last quarter."

He continued: "Unsurprisingly, construction-related industries are in the doldrums."

The Jobs Index shows decreases of -29pc for construction, architecture and property and -118pc for environmental, health and safety. Job vacancies in the retail sector and beauty/hair care are down -12pc and -32pc respectively.

A striking pattern emerges within the IrishJobs.ie Jobs Index in relation to salary expectations in quarter two 2011 compared with quarter two, 2010. The index shows that salaries are moderating by age, so older workers are willing to work for less, but younger workers seem to be expecting more. This coincides with the findings in the last IrishJobs.ie report on salary expectations, which showed an increase in salary expectations by an average of €3,000 relative to the first quarter last year.